Hinge

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hinge giving a neat look to the mounting area of a door without being exposed to the outer surface of the door, the hinge being composed of a hinge spindle unit, buried flush with the top and bottom lines on the fixed end of the door and disposed in a way to allow protrusion and retraction of the spindle, and a hinge body unit, buried at a position facing the hinge spindle unit of the open frame and in which is inserted the protruding spindle, and supporting the door in a way to open and close.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a hinge, more specifically a hingegiving a neat look to the mounting area of a door without being exposedto the outer surface of the door, facilitating mounting and removal ofthe door and enabling the door to be opened and closed either inward oroutward.

[0002] Conventionally, a door mounted at the entrance of a house or aroom is provided with a hinge between the open frame and the door toenable opening and closing of the door.

[0003] This hinge normally consists of 2 hinge elements fit to eachother by means of a single shaft in a way to open and close, these hingeelements being fixed to the open frame and the door respectively byscrewing.

[0004] By the way, said conventional hinge used to be made of suchmaterials as stainless steel, brass, aluminium alloy, etc. and wasprovided with coating or plating on the outer surface, as required, andalso with various kinds of design in some cases.

[0005] However, how neatly and gorgeously it may be manufactured, ahinge, which is mounted between the open frame and the door by screwingand in a place visible from outside the door, could not maintain a neatlook for the mounting area of the door, and also presented a problem oftroublesome work of tightening and loosening set screws for mounting andremoving the door.

[0006] Moreover, a conventional hinge, which is mounted by being set inadvance to open and close the door either inward or outward, also had aproblem of inconvenience of use, because the direction of opening andclosing of the door cannot be changed after the door is once installed,even in the case where the room would be used more conveniently if thedirection of opening and closing of the door is changed after a changein the arrangement of furniture, etc. in the room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The objective of the present invention, realized in light of thesaid problems of conventional types of hinges, is to provide a hingethat gives a neat look to the mounting area of a door without beingexposed to the outer surface of the door, facilitating mounting andremoval of the door and enabling the door to be opened and closed eitherinward or outward.

[0008] To achieve said objective, the hinge according to the presentinvention is characterized in that it is comprised of a hinge spindleunit, buried flush with the top and bottom lines on the fixed end of thedoor and disposed in a way to allow protrusion and retraction of thespindle, and a hinge body unit, buried at a position facing the hingespindle unit of the open frame and in which is inserted the protrudingspindle, and supporting the door in a way it can both open and close.

[0009] According to the hinge of the present invention, which isdesigned to support the door in a way to both open and close it as theprotruding and retracting spindle of a hinge spindle unit, buried flushwith the top and bottom lines on the fixed end of the door, is insertedin the hinge body unit buried at a position facing the hinge spindleunit of the open frame, it becomes possible to give a neat look to thedoor mounting area without exposing the hinge to the outer surface ofthe door, and allow the door to be opened and closed either inward oroutward.

[0010] Plus, this hinge makes it possible to mount or remove the door inand from the open frame with just protruding and retracting operation ofthe spindle, without tightening or loosening set screws as withconventional hinges, and thus facilitated mounting and removal of thedoor.

[0011] In this case, the hinge spindle unit can be comprised of aspindle case body, a spindle inserted in the spindle case body in a wayto be locked and protrude and retract under the urging force of aspring, and a stopper holding the spindle in a state retracted in thespindle case body.

[0012] This makes it possible to not only easily bury the hinge spindleunit in the door, but to also facilitate mounting and removal of thedoor in and from the open frame, by holding the spindle in a stateretracted in the spindle case body with a stopper.

[0013] Moreover, the hinge spindle unit can be comprised of a spindlecase body, a spindle inserted in the spindle case body in a way to belocked and forming a rack gear biting with a pinion disposed in thespindle case body and capable of protruding and retracting by turningsaid pinion, and a stopper holding the spindle in prescribed position.

[0014] This makes it possible to not only easily bury the hinge spindleunit in the door, but to also facilitate protrusion and retraction ofthe spindle, facilitate mounting and removal of the door in and from theopen frame, and stably mount the door in the open frame.

[0015] Furthermore, the hinge body unit can be comprised of a hinge bodyprovided with a boss in which to insert a spindle, and a cam slidablysupported in the hinge body and retracting the spindle.

[0016] This makes it possible to not only easily bury the hinge bodyunit in the open frame, but also facilitate quick mounting and removalof the door in and from the open frame.

[0017] Still more, the hinge body unit can be comprised of a hinge bodyburied and fixed at a position facing the hinge spindle unit of the openframe, and a slide base, disposed slidably against the hinge body andforming a spindle insertion hole in a way to be fixed at any desiredposition on the hinge body.

[0018] This makes it possible to easily adjust the position of thespindle insertion hole and mount the door accurately in the open frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing a door and an open frameto which is applied the hinge according to the present invention, (A)being a front elevation, and (B) a transverse sectional plan view.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a front elevation showing the first embodiment of thehinge according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing of actions for above.

[0022]FIG. 4 indicates the spindle case body, (A) being a frontelevation, (B) a sectional view, and (C) a sectional view at line C-C.

[0023]FIG. 5 indicates the spindle, (A) being a front elevation, and (B)a bottom view.

[0024]FIG. 6 indicates the stopper, (A) being a front elevation, and (B)a bottom view.

[0025]FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing of actions of the cam in thehinge body unit.

[0026]FIG. 8 indicates the hinge body, (A) being a plan view, (B) afront elevation, and (C) a bottom view.

[0027]FIG. 9 indicates the cam, (A) being a plan view, (B) a side view.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the door and the open frame.

[0029]FIG. 11 is a front elevation showing the second embodiment of thehinge according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 12 indicates the hinge spindle unit, (A) being a sectionalview, (B) a front elevation, (C) a plan view, and (D) a bottom view.

[0031]FIG. 13 indicates the first modified example of the hinge spindleunit in the second embodiment of the present invention, (A) being asectional view, (B) a front elevation, (C) a plan view, and (D) a bottomview.

[0032]FIG. 14 indicates the second modified example of the hinge spindleunit in the second embodiment of the present invention, (A) being asectional view, (B) a front elevation, (C) a plan view, and (D) a bottomview.

[0033]FIG. 15 indicates the third modified example of the hinge spindleunit in the second embodiment of the present invention, (A) being asectional view, (B) a front elevation, and (C) a bottom view.

[0034]FIG. 16 indicates the spindle case body, (A) being a frontelevation, (B) a sectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0035]FIG. 17 indicates the spindle, (A) being a front elevation of thespindle body element, (B) a bottom view, (C) a sectional view of therack gear element, and (D) a bottom view.

[0036]FIG. 18 indicates the pinion, (A) being a side view, and (B) asectional view.

[0037]FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the entire part of this thirdmodified example.

[0038]FIG. 20 indicates the fourth modified example of the hinge spindleunit.

[0039]FIG. 21 indicates the first modified example of the hinge bodyunit in the second embodiment of the present invention, (A) being a planview, (B) a front elevation, and (C) a sectional view.

[0040]FIG. 22 indicates the hinge body, (A) being a plan view, (B) asectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0041]FIG. 23 indicates the slide base, (A) being a plan view, (B) asectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0042]FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the second modified example ofthe hinge body unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 25 indicates the hinge body, (A) being a plan view, (B) asectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0044]FIG. 26 indicates the body cover, (A) being a plan view, (B) asectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0045]FIG. 27 indicates the slide base, (A) being a plan view, (B) asectional view, and (C) a bottom view.

[0046]FIG. 28 indicates the adjusting cam, (A) being a plan view, (B) afront elevation, and (C) a bottom view.

[0047]FIG. 29 indicates the metal, (A) being a plan view, and (B) afront elevation.

[0048]FIG. 30 indicates a metal of simple construction used for thepresent invention, (A) being a partially broken front elevation, and (B)a plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Embodiments of the hinge according to the present invention willbe explained based on drawings hereafter.

[0050]FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 indicate the first embodiments of the hingeaccording to the present invention.

[0051] This hinge comprises a hinge spindle unit A, buried flush withthe top and bottom lines on the fixed end of the door D and disposed ina way to allow protrusion and retraction of the spindle 2, and a hingebody unit B, buried at a position facing the hinge spindle unit A of theopen frame K and supporting the door D in a way to open and close as theprotruding spindle 2 is inserted in the hinge body unit B.

[0052] The hinge spindle unit A buried flush with the top and bottomlines on the fixed end of the door D is provided with a spindle casebody 1 formed in a cylindrical shape, forming two ring grooves 1 d, 1 eon the outer circumferential face and having a hole 1 h in which toinsert the spindle 2 inside, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

[0053] These two ring grooves 1 d, 1 e are formed at positions where thestopper 3 inserted from the shallow groove 1 c to the hole 1 f does notget away from the spindle case body 1 even if it swings in the shape ofa seesaw.

[0054] And, at the outer circumference on the opening end side of thespindle case body 1 is integrally formed a mounting flange 1 a, and onthe surface of the spindle case body 1 is formed, along the longitudinaldirection of the spindle case body 1, a guide groove 1 b regulating thesliding range of the spindle 2.

[0055] Moreover, along the guide groove 1 b is formed, at its lowerposition, a shallow groove 1 c and a hole 1 f in which to insert thestopper 3, and in the connecting area between the inner bottom part ofthe shallow groove 1 c and the hole 1 f is formed a sloped face 1 g.

[0056] Furthermore, at the outer circumference of the spindle case body1 is formed a fastening claw is in proximity to the mounting flange 1 a,so that the spindle case body 1 may be fixed in a way not to turn, inthe state buried in the hinge mounting hole H formed at the top and thebottom on the fixed end of the door D.

[0057] The spindle 2 to be inserted in the hole 1 h in the spindle casebody 1 has a length and a diameter sufficient for supporting the door Din a way to open and close, forms at its bottom end a fastening claw 2 ain stepped shape so that it may be fastened by the tip of the stopper 3,forms inside the bottom end a spring insertion hole 2 b, and forms onits outer circumferential face a guide insertion hole 2 c in thedirection orthogonal to the shaft center of the spindle 2, as shown inFIG. 5.

[0058] This spindle 2 will have an outside diameter to be inserted,without play and in a way to protrude and retract, in the hole 1 h inthe spindle case body 1 in the allowable range of tolerance, and beformed in such a way that the tip of the spindle 2 may be inserted, atthe time of protrusion, in the hinge body unit B to support the door Din a way to open and close.

[0059] Still more, since the spindle 2 is urged by a spring 4 insertedin the inner bottom of the hole 1 h in the spindle case body 1, a guide5 will be inserted in the guide insertion hole 2 c so that the spindle 2may not get out of the spindle case body 1 because of this urging force.

[0060] This guide 5 will be inserted in the guide insertion hole 2 cthrough a spring 6 so that the small-diameter portion 5 a at the tip ofthe guide 5 may constantly protrude under the urging force of the spring6, and the small-diameter portion 5 a at the tip of this guide 5 will beinserted in the guide groove 1 b, to thereby prevent the guide 5 fromgetting out of the spindle 2 and prevent the spindle 2 from getting outof the spindle case body 1.

[0061] Yet more, a stopper 3 will be provided on the spindle case body1.

[0062] The stopper 3 will be formed with a thin metallic element in away to be slightly curved, so that the spindle 2 may have a concaveface, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0063] This stopper 3 will be inserted from the shallow groove 1 c tothe hole If of the spindle case body 1, and will be supported in theshape of a seesaw and slidably and in a slightly inclined position, asshown in FIG. 3 (C), normally, by means of stopper rings 7, 8 made ofspring steel fit in the ring grooves 1 d, 1 e so that it may not getaway from the spindle case body 1.

[0064] In this case, the swing angle of the stopper 3 is controlled by aslope face 1 g formed at the inner bottom of the shallow hole 1 c in thespindle case body 1.

[0065] The swing angle of this stopper 3 and its positional relation inthe spindle case body 1 are stipulated in such a way that the fasteningclaw 2 a of the spindle 2 is fastened by the tip of the stopper 3, inthe state in which the spindle 2 is completely retracted in the hole 1 hin the spindle case body 1, as shown in FIG. 3 (A).

[0066] Moreover, the outer face at fixed end of the stopper 3 will beconstructed in such a way that the stopper 3 swings to release thefastening between the tip of the stopper 3 and the fastening claw 2 a,as this outer face is pushed by an operating rod L inserted through theinsertion hole Dh formed at the end face of the door D, as shown in FIG.3 (B).

[0067] On the other hand, the hinge body unit B buried at a positionfacing the hinge spindle unit A of the open frame K is provided with ahinge body 10 buried in the open frame K, and a cam 11 swingablysupported by a shaft 12 in this hinge body 10, as shown in FIG. 2 andFIG. 7 to FIG. 9.

[0068] The hinge body 10 integrally forms, on the back face side of themounting collar 10 a fixed to the open frame K, a barrel 10 b buried inthe open frame K in a smaller size compared with the mounting collar 10a.

[0069] This barrel 10 b is formed, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), (C), with aboss 10 c having a hole 10 h in which to insert the spindle 2 at an end,and cam supporting elements 10 d, 10 e, disposed on the outercircumferential face of this boss 10 c in a way to mutually face byforming a groove 10 m, and forms a shaft hole 10 i in these camsupporting elements 10 d, 10 e.

[0070] The width of this groove 10 m is determined in such a way thatthe cam 11 may swing with a shaft 12 inserted through the shaft hole 10i, and a cam push hole 10 f is formed in a way to pass through themounting collar 10 a at the edge position of the groove 10 m.

[0071] This cam push hole 10 f and the hole 10 h in the boss 10 c areformed in such a way that their centers are positioned on thelongitudinal shaft center of the groove 10 m.

[0072]10 g is a set screw hole formed in the mounting collar 10 a.

[0073] The cam 11 has a flat shape, as shown in FIG. 9, and is swingablysupported on the hinge body 10 with the shaft 12 inserted through theshaft hole 11 h formed at about the center, and is formed into a spindlepushing element 11 a for pressing the head of the spindle 2 at an endand into a rod pushing element 1 b to be pressed by the operating rod Lat the other end.

[0074] Next, the assembling method and actions of this hinge will beexplained.

[0075] Bury and fix the stopper 3 at the outer circumference of thespindle case body 1, and the hinge spindle unit A, in which is insertedthe spindle 2, through a spring 4 in a way to be locked with a guide 5,on one same line at the top and the bottom on the fixed end side of thedoor D respectively.

[0076] In this case, by pushing the spindle 2 into the spindle case body1 against the urging force of the spring 4, the fastening claw 2 a ofthe spindle is fastened by the tip of the stopper 3, and the spindle 2is kept in the state retracted in the spindle case body 1.

[0077] In addition, bury the hinge body unit B, on which is swingablydisposed the cam 11, in the open frame K, at a position where thespindle insertion hole 10 h faces the spindle 2 of the hinge spindleunit A buried in the door D.

[0078] Next, to mount the door D in the open frame K, install the door Dat prescribed position of the open frame K, insert the operating rod Lin the rod insertion hole Dh formed at the end face of the door D, byadjusting the position of the spindle insertion hole 10 h of the hingebody unit B to that of the spindle 2 of the hinge spindle unit A, andmake the stopper 3 swing by pushing the outer side face on fixed end ofthe stopper 3 with the tip of the operating rod L, to release thefastening with the fastening claw 2 a of the spindle 2.

[0079] This makes it possible for the spindle 2 to protrude from thespindle case body 1 with the urging force of the spring 4. Since thesmall-diameter shaft portion 5 a of the guide 5 inserted in the spindle2 is inserted in the guide groove 1 b, the spindle 2 stops and isprevented from getting out when this small-diameter shaft portion 5 a ofthe guide 5 gets in contact with the end position of the guide groove 1b.

[0080] And, the head of the spindle 2 protruding from the spindle casebody 1 is inserted in the spindle insertion hole 10 h on the hinge bodyunit B side.

[0081] In this way, by making the spindles 2, 2 of the respectivespindle units A provided at the top and bottom of the door D protrude,it becomes possible to mount the door D in the open frame K in a way toopen and close on the spindles 2, 2.

[0082] At that time, if the head of the spindle 2 is inserted in thespindle insertion hole 10 h, with a protrusion of the spindle 2, byapproximately 10 mm to 30 mm for example, the spindle pushing element 11a of the cam 11 positioned on the spindle insertion hole 10 h is pushedup by the head of the spindle 2, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0083] As a result, the cam 11 swings around the shaft 12, and the rodpushing element 10 b on the opposite side is held in the pushed downstate.

[0084] On the other hand, to remove the door D from the open frame K,expose the cam pushing hole 10 f of the hinge body unit B buried in theopen frame K by keeping the door D in open state, insert the operatingrod L in this cam pushing hole 10 f, and push the rod pushing element 11b of the cam 11 to make the rod pushing element 11 b of the cam 11 goup.

[0085] As a result, the cam 11 swings around the shaft 12, and the headof the spindle 2 is pushed down, through the spindle pushing element 11a on the opposite side.

[0086] In this way, as the spindle 2 is pushed into the spindle casebody 1 against the urging force of the spring 4, the fastening claw 2 ais fastened by the tip of the stopper 3, and the spindle 2 is kept inthe state retracted in the spindle case body 1.

[0087] As a result, the spindle 2 is held in the spindle case body 1 inretracted state, and unfastened from the hinge body unit B buried in theopen frame K.

[0088] By making this operation for both of the hinge spindle units A, Aburied at the top and the bottom on the fixed end side of the door D, itbecomes possible to remove the door D from the open frame K.

[0089] In the above case, the operating sequence of the hinge spindleunits A, A buried at the top and the bottom on the fixed end side of thedoor D is not particularly restricted, and can be made from either thetop or the bottom side.

[0090] By the way, in the case where the door D is mounted in a way toopen and close on the spindles 2, 2, it is necessary to form the surfaceon the fixed end side of the door D in sloped shape and form aprescribed gap between the surface on the fixed end side of the door Dand the open frame K, to ensure smooth opening and closing of the doorD.

[0091] To meet these requirements, it is possible to perform chamferingDa on the surface on the fixed end side of the door D and adopt aconstruction of disposing a door pad 91 in a way to protrude and retractunder the urging force of a spring 92 in the concave part 90 formed onthe open frame K, as shown in FIG. 10, to thereby avoid producing a gapbetween the surface on the fixed end side of the door D and the openframe K.

[0092]FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 indicate the second embodiment of the hingeaccording to the present invention.

[0093] This hinge is constructed, as the hinge of said first embodiment,with a hinge spindle unit A, buried flush with the top and bottom lineson the fixed end side of the door D and disposed in a way to allowprotrusion and retraction of the spindle 2, and a hinge body unit B,buried at a position facing the hinge spindle unit A of the open frame Kand supporting the door D in a way to open and close as the protrudingspindle 2 is inserted in the hinge body unit B.

[0094] In this case, the hinge spindle unit A buried flush with the topand bottom lines on the fixed end of the door D is provided with aspindle case body 1, formed in a cylindrical shape having a hole 1 h inwhich to insert the spindle 2 inside, and a spindle 2.

[0095] And, at the outer circumference on the opening end side of thespindle case body 1 is integrally formed a mounting flange 1 a, and onthe surface of the spindle case body 1 is formed, along the longitudinaldirection of the spindle case body 1, a guide groove 1 b in which toinsert an operating element 50 for regulating the sliding range i.e.range of protrusion and retraction of the spindle 2.

[0096] Moreover, at the outer circumference of the spindle case body 1is formed a fastening claw is in proximity to the mounting flange 1 a,so that the spindle case body 1 may be fixed in a way not to turn, inthe state buried in the hinge mounting hole H formed at the top and thebottom on the fixed end of the door D.

[0097] The spindle 2 has a length and a diameter sufficient forsupporting the door D in a way to open and close, forms inside thebottom end a spring insertion hole 2 h, and forms on its outercircumferential face a stopper ball insertion hole 2 e and an operatingelement insertion hole 2 f in the direction orthogonal to the shaftcenter of the spindle 2.

[0098] This spindle 2 will have an outside diameter to be inserted,without play and in a way to protrude and retract, in the hole 1 h inthe spindle case body 1 in the allowable range of tolerance, and beformed in such a way that the tip of the spindle 2 may be inserted, atthe time of protrusion, in the hinge body unit B to support the door Din a way to open and close.

[0099] Furthermore, since the spindle 2 is urged by a spring 4 insertedin the inner bottom of the hole 1 h in the spindle case body 1 and thespring insertion hole 2 h, an operating element 50 will be inserted inthe guide insertion hole 2 c provided in projection from the spindle 2so that the spindle 2 may not get out of the spindle case body 1 becauseof this urging force.

[0100] This operating element 50 will be formed in small diameter at thefixed end to be inserted by either forced fitting or screw fastening inthe operating element insertion hole 2 f of the spindle 2, and in largediameter with a hole in which to insert the operating at the tip, andthe large-diameter portion will be inserted in the guide groove 1 b, tothereby prevent the spindle 2 from getting out of the spindle case body1 with the operating element 50.

[0101] In the stopper ball insertion hole 2 e of the spindle 2 will beinserted a stopper ball 61 in a way to be urged by a spring 60, in thedirection of pushing out the stopper ball 61 through the stopper ballinsertion hole 2 e.

[0102] And, in the spindle case body 1 will be formed a stopper hole 1j, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), so that the spindle 2 may be held inretracted state with a fitting of the stopper ball 61, when the spindle2 is retracted in the spindle case body 1.

[0103] Still more, to make the spindle 2 protrude, from the stateretracted and held in the spindle case body 1, and be inserted on thehinge body B side, the operating element 50 will be operated with theoperating rod, in a way to draw out the spindle 2 and release thefitting of the stopper ball 61 in the stopper hole 1 j.

[0104] This makes it possible for the tip of the spindle 2 to protrudefrom inside the spindle case body 1 with an action of the spring 4, asshown in FIG. 12 (B).

[0105] On the other hand, the hinge body B side, buried at a positionfacing the hinge spindle unit A of the open frame K, is provided with ahinge body 10 to be buried in the open frame K, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0106] The hinge body 10 will integrally form, on the back face of themounting collar 10 a to be fixed to the open frame K, a barrel portion10 b having a hole 10 h in which to insert the spindle 2, to be buriedin the open frame K, in smaller size compared with the mounting collar10 a.

[0107] The spindle insertion hole 10 h may be formed, either with a bedor in a way to pass through the barrel portion 10 b.

[0108] Next, the assembling method and actions of this hinge will beexplained.

[0109] Insert the spring 60 and the stopper ball 61 in the stopper ballinsertion hole 2 e of the spindle 2, insert the spindle 2 in the hole 1h of the spindle case body 1 in which is inserted the spring 4, and buryand fix the hinge spindle unit A with the operating element 50 insertedin the guide groove 1 b in projection, flush with the top and bottomlines on the fixed end side of the door D respectively.

[0110] In this case, by operating the operating element 50 and pushingthe spindle 2 into the spindle case body 1 against the urging force ofthe spring 4, the stopper ball 61 is fit into the stopper hole 1 j, andthe spindle 2 is kept in the state retracted in the spindle case body 1.

[0111] In addition, bury the hinge body unit B, on which is swingablydisposed the cam 11, in the open frame K, at a position where thespindle insertion hole 10 h faces the spindle 2 of the hinge spindleunit A buried in the door D.

[0112] Next, to mount the door D in the open frame K, install the door Dat prescribed position of the open frame K, adjust the position of thespindle insertion hole 10 h in the hinge body unit B to that of thespindle 2 of the hinge spindle unit A, and, by operating the operatingelement 50 with the operating rod from the guide groove 1 b formed onthe end face of the door D, disengage the stopper ball 61 from thestopper hole 1 j while drawing out the spindle 2.

[0113] As a result, the spindle 2 protrudes from the spindle case body 1under the urging force of the spring 4. Since the operating element 50disposed on the spindle 2 is inserted in the guide groove 1 b, thespindle 2 stops and is prevented from getting out when this operatingelement 50 gets in contact with the end position of the guide groove 1b.

[0114] And, the head of the spindle 2 protruding from the spindle casebody 1 is inserted in the spindle insertion hole 10 h on the hinge bodyunit B side.

[0115] In this way, by making the spindles 2, 2 of the respectivespindle units A provided at the top and the bottom of the door Dprotrude, it becomes possible to mount the door D in the open frame K ina way to open and close on the spindles 2, 2.

[0116] On the other hand, to remove the door D from the open frame K,expose the guide groove 1 b formed at the end face of the door D bykeeping the door D in open state. Insert the operating rod L in thisslit-shaped guide groove 1 b, and operate the operating element 50 withthe operating rod and push the spindle 2 into the spindle case body 1against the urging force of the spring 4, to fit the stopper ball 61into the stopper hole 1 j, and keep the spindle 2 in the state retractedin the spindle case body 1.

[0117] As a result, the spindle 2 is held in the spindle case body 1 inretracted state, and unfastened from the hinge body unit B buried in theopen frame K.

[0118] By making this operation for both of the hinge spindle units A, Aburied at the top and the bottom on the fixed end side of the door D, itbecomes possible to remove the door D from the open frame K.

[0119] In the above case, the operating sequence of the hinge spindleunits A, A buried at the top and the bottom on the fixed end side of thedoor D is not particularly restricted, and can be made from either thetop or bottom side.

[0120] Other construction and actions of this embodiment are the same asthose of the hinge of said first embodiment.

[0121] By the way, in the hinge of said second embodiment, a stopperhole 1 k may be formed, as in the first modified example of hingespindle unit in the second embodiment of the present invention indicatedin FIG. 13, in such a way that the spindle 2 may be held in protrudedstate with a fitting of the stopper ball 61, when the tip of the spindle2 protrudes from inside the spindle case body 1, so that the tip of thespindle 2 may be held securely in the state protruding from inside thespindle case body 1.

[0122] Moreover, the operating element of the spindle 2 may be formed ina way to be directly operated, by inserting the operating element 51formed in the shape of a pin in the operating element insertion hole 2 fof the spindle 2 and making the tip of the operating element 51 protrudefrom the spindle case body 1, as in the second modified example of hingespindle unit in the second embodiment of the present invention indicatedin FIG. 14.

[0123] Other construction and actions of those modified examples are thesame as those of the hinge of said second embodiment.

[0124]FIG. 15 to FIG. 19 indicate the third modified example of hingespindle unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] This hinge is constructed, in the same way as the hinge of saidfirst embodiment and second embodiment, with a hinge spindle unit A,buried flush with the top and bottom lines on the fixed end side of thedoor D and disposed in a way to allow protrusion and retraction of thespindle 2, and a hinge body unit B, buried at a position facing thehinge spindle unit A of the open frame K and supporting the door D in away to open and close as the protruding spindle 2 is inserted in thehinge body unit B.

[0126] In this case, the hinge spindle unit A buried flush with the topand bottom lines on the fixed end of the door D is provided with aspindle case body 1, formed in a cylindrical shape having a hole 1 h inwhich to insert the spindle 2 inside, and a spindle 2.

[0127] And, on the spindle case body 1 will be disposed a pinion 27, anda rack gear 26 engaged with this pinion 27 will be formed on the spindle2 and disposed in such a way that the spindle 2 may protrude from and beretracted into the spindle case body 1 with a turn of the pinion 27.

[0128] To be more concrete, the spindle case body 1 will form, as shownin FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a hole 1 h in which to insert the spindle 2inside and a mounting flange 1 a on the outer circumference of theopening.

[0129] And, a rack gear insertion groove 1 p will be formed, along thelongitudinal direction on the inner circumferential surface of the hole1 h in which to insert the spindle 2, and holes 1 j, 1 kin which toinsert the stopper ball 61 to be described later will be formed at 2points along the longitudinal direction of the spindle case body 1,while gear insertion holes 1 m, 1 n with different diameters willfurther be formed in a way to pass in transversal direction through thecircumferential wall of the spindle case body 1, at a position close tothis hole 1 j.

[0130] The length and width of this rack gear insertion groove 1 p aredetermined in such a way that the spindle 2 slides only in thelongitudinal direction of the spindle case body 1 without turning.

[0131] The spindle 2 will be composed of a bar-shaped spindle bodyelement 2A and a rack gear element 2B forming a rack gear 26, as shownin FIG. 17, and its overall length will be set to be completelyretracted in the spindle case body 1.

[0132] In the spindle body element 2A will be formed a stopper ballinsertion hole 21, and in this stopper ball insertion hole 21 will beinserted a stopper ball 61 in a way to be urged in the direction ofpushing out from the stopper ball insertion hole 21 by means of a spring60.

[0133] In this case, the stopper ball insertion hole 21 will be formedin the direction agreeing with the holes 1 j, 1 k in the spindle casebody 1.

[0134] And, it will be so arranged that the spindle 2 may be stably heldselectively in either retracted or protruded state, as the stopper ball61 fits in the holes 1 j, 1 k formed in the spindle case body 1.

[0135] Moreover, at the bottom of the spindle body element 2A will beprovided a fastening element 22 of small diameter in projection, andthis fastening element 22 will be inserted in the hole 23 formed in therack gear element 2B and caulked at the tip, to integrate the spindlebody element 2A and the rack gear element 2B.

[0136] The rack gear element 2B will have its side faces in longitudinaldirection formed in side elements 24, 24 having a width fit forinsertion in the rack gear insertion groove 1 p, and form, in the endelement for connecting the side elements 24, 24, a hole 23 for insertingthe fastening element 22 provided in projection on the spindle bodyelement 2A. In addition, on the inside of one side element 24 will beformed a rack gear 26, and the tip of the fastening element 22 insertedin the hole 23 will be caulked to integrate the rack gear 26 with thespindle body element 2A.

[0137] In this case, the orientation of the spindle body element 2A andthe rack gear element 2B will be adjusted in such a way that the rackgear 26 may mutually bite with the pinion 27 inserted in the spindlecase body 1.

[0138] The pinion 27 will have a length about equal to the outsidediameter of the spindle case body 1, and will be formed in an outsidediameter to be supported in a hole 1 m of large diameter formed in thespindle case body 1 at the fixed end 27 a and in an outside diameter tobe supported in a hole 1 n of small diameter formed in the spindle casebody 1 at the tip 27 d, and a gear 27 b will be serrated on the outercircumferential face at the intermediate area, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0139] Furthermore, on the end face of the fixed end 27 a of the pinion27 will be formed an operating hole 27 c for turning the pinion 27 bymeans of a tool (not illustrated) such as hexagon wrench, etc. to beinserted from outside the door D.

[0140] Although, in this embodiment, the spindle 2 is composed of aspindle body element 2A and a rack gear element 2B, the spindle 2 mayalso be composed of a single member, as in the modified example given inFIG. 19.

[0141] In this case, a space for inserting the pinion 27 will be formedat a lower part of the spindle 2, and a part of the side area of thespindle 2 will be notched, and on this notched face will be serrated therack gear 26.

[0142]FIG. 20 indicates the fourth modified example of the hinge spindleunit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0143] The hinge spindle unit in this fourth modified example of theembodiment has the same form as that of the third modified examplebasically, but is different from the latter in that, while theprotruding and retracting actions of the spindle 2 are performed bymaking the rack gear element 2B biting with it move up and down with arotation of a pinion in the third modified example, the protrudingaction of the spindle 2 is made with the urging force of a spring 29 andthe retracting action is performed by means of a pinion 27 and a rackgear element 2B in this fourth modified example.

[0144] And, in this fourth modified example, the hinge spindle unit iscomposed of a spindle case body 1 formed in the shape of a cylinderhaving a mounting flange 1 a on the outer circumference of the opening,and a spindle 2 to be inserted in it in a way to protrude and retract,and constructed in a way to push and support the bottom end of thespindle 2 by means of a spring 29 supported by a spring fastening device28 fastened to the spindle case body 1.

[0145] The spindle 2 integrates a bar-shaped spindle body element 2A anda rack gear element 2B having a rack gear 26 serrated on the inside bycaulking a fastening element 22, in the same way as in the thirdmodified example, and a pinion 27 rotatably supported in the spindlecase body 1 passes through said rack gear element 2B and bites with therack gear 26. And, it is so arranged that, when the rack gear 26 isturned by means of a tool such as hexagon wrench, etc. inserted in thehexagon hole of this rack gear 26, the spindle body element 2A isretracted into the spindle case body 1 against the spring pressurethrough the rack gear element 2B fit to the rack gear 26.

[0146] This spindle 2 is designed to move along the rack gear insertionhole 1 p serrated on the inner face of the spindle case body 1, andconstantly protrude from the spindle case body 1 with the elastic forceof a spring 29 supporting the bottom part. And, to maintain the spindle2 in the state retracted in the spindle case body 1 as shown in FIG. 15(A), a ball 61 is inserted under a spring pressure in the spindle bodyelement 2A in the same way as shown in FIG. 19, so that this ball 61 mayfit the stopper hole 1 j formed in the spindle case body 1 at thespindle retracting position.

[0147] Other basic construction and actions of this embodiment and itsmodified examples are the same as those of the hinge of said secondembodiment, except for the difference in the mechanism for protrudingand retracting the spindle 2.

[0148]FIG. 21 to FIG. 23 indicate the first modified example of hingebody in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0149] This hinge concerns, in the same way as the hinge of said firstembodiment and second embodiment, the hinge body unit B to be buriedflush with the top and bottom lines on the fixed end of the door D andused together with a hinge spindle unit A in which is disposed thespindle 2 in a way to protrude and retract, and it is buried at aposition facing the hinge spindle unit A of the open frame K, and canadjust the position of the spindle insertion hole 10 h in which toinsert the protruding spindle 2 easily, to enable to mount the door Daccurately in the open frame K.

[0150] In this case, the hinge body unit B is composed of a hinge body10A, to be buried and fixed at a position facing the hinge spindle unitA of the open frame K, and a slide base 10B, disposed slidably againstthis hinge body 10A and forming a spindle insertion hole 10 h in a wayto be fixed at any desired position on the hinge body 10A.

[0151] The hinge body 10A integrally forms, on the back face side of themounting collar 10 a buried in the open frame K and fixed by screwing, abarrel 10 c, and forms set screw holes 10 g, 10 g, an adjusting hole 10r and a metal insertion hole 10 p in the mounting collar 10 a, as shownin FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

[0152] This barrel 10 c will form a slit groove 10 s, open at the bottomface and unrotatably supporting a cam supporting element 10 d and a nutN inserted there, and in this slit groove 10 s will be formed a boltinsertion hole 10 t in a way to be different in diameter at the top andat the bottom.

[0153] The metal insertion hole 10 p, the adjusting hole 10 r and theslit groove 10 s will be formed on one same straight line.

[0154] Moreover, the metal insertion hole 10 p and the adjusting hole 10r will be formed in the shape of a slit respectively, so that the slidebase 10B may be moved for adjustment against the hinge body 10A.

[0155] The slide base 10B is composed of a metal 10U in the shape of ashort collared pipe, and a slider 10W, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 23.

[0156] The metal 10U, which forms a spindle insertion hole 10 h in thebarrel 101 in the shape of a short pipe and integrally forms a collar102 on the outer circumference at the edge, will be integrated with theslider 10W so that the barrel 101 may be inserted in the metal insertionhole 10 p of the hinge body 10A in a way to be slidably adjusted in thelongitudinal direction of the metal insertion hole 10 p.

[0157] This slider 10W will integrally form a metal holder 103 in theshape of a short pipe at one end of the cam supporting element 10 d, andthe barrel 101 of the metal 10U will be inserted in the metal holder 103and caulked at its end, to fix the metal 10U.

[0158] Furthermore, the cam supporting element 10 d of the slider 10W,the width and length of which are determined in a way to be slidablyinserted in the slit groove 10 s, will form a groove 10 m in which thecam 11 (see FIG. 7) is slidably inserted.

[0159] In the cam supporting element 10 d having the groove 10 m will beformed a shaft hole 10 i for slidably supporting the cam 11, while a campush hole 10 f will be formed in part of the groove 10 m.

[0160] Still more, in the cam supporting element 10 d will be formed anadjusting set hole 104 in the shape of a slit, so that the slide base10B may be fixed at any desired position of the hinge body 10A, as afastening screw 105 inserted in the bolt insertion hole 10 t passesthrough this adjusting set hole 104 and is engaged with the nut N.

[0161] To assemble the slide base 10B realized by fastening the metal10U to the metal holder 103 of the slider 10W, and the hinge body 10A,attach the slider 10W from the back side of the hinge body 10A, fit thecam supporting element 10 d in the slit groove 10 s, insert the metal10U from the surface side in the metal insertion hole 10 p and the metalholder 103, and caulk the tip of the barrel 101 of the metal 10U,integrating the metal 10U with the slider 10W.

[0162] This makes it possible for the slide base 10B to slide in themetal insertion hole 10 p in the shape of a slit, against the hinge body10A.

[0163] And, by tightening the nut N, after adjusting the position of thespindle insertion hole 10 h, and fixing the slide base 10B to the hingebody 10A, it becomes possible to mount the door D in the open frame Kaccurately.

[0164] Yet more, in the groove 10 m of the slide base 10B is slidablymounted the cam 11 by means of a shaft 12 inserted in the shaft hole 10i, but its action is the same as that of the hinge of said firstembodiment.

[0165]FIG. 24 to FIG. 29 indicate the second modified example of hingebody in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0166] This second modified example of hinge body is buried, as shown inthe second embodiment, at a position facing the hinge spindle unit A ofthe open frame K, and enables to adjust the position of the spindleinsertion hole in which to insert the protruding spindle 2 easily, tothereby enable to mount the door D in the open frame K accurately and ina way to keep a uniform clearance at the outer circumference of the doorD.

[0167] In this case, the hinge body unit B is composed of a hinge body10A, to be buried in the open frame K, a body cover 10F, attached to theback side of this hinge body 10A and assembled in a way to be integratedwith the hinge body 10A by caulking, etc., a slide base 10B, slidablyinserted between the hinge body 10A and the body cover 10F and enablingadjustment of the spindle insertion hole position, a metal 10E insertedin the spindle insertion hole of the slide base 10B, an adjusting cam10D for adjusting the movement of the slide base 10B, and a spring 125.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the hinge body 10A, buried inthe open frame K, will be perforated to provide a cam insertion hole 111in which to insert part of the adjusting cam 10D in a rotatable way, ametal adjusting hole 112 in an oval shape, and a mounting hole 13 inwhich to insert fastening screw, etc. at about the central part of thehinge body 10A, while on the back face side of the hige body 10A it willform a depression 115 in the shape of a counterbore at the peripheralposition of the cam insertion hole 111, form fastening claws 116, 116 ina convex shape at regular intervals along the inner circumferentialdirection of this depression 115, at 4 positions at 90 intervals asillustrated, for example, and further form in projection, at both endsin the longitudinal direction on the back face of the hinge body 10A,fastening projections 117, 117 for positioning and fastening the bodycover 10F.

[0169] Moreover, the depression 115 in the shape of a counterbore willbe realized as a round depression enabling to insert the disc-shapedcollar element of the adjusting cam 10D inside, with a depth preferablyabout equal to the thickness of the disc-shaped collar element ofadjusting cam 10D.

[0170] Furthermore, the metal adjusting hole 112 will be a slit, and itslength will be determined in such a way that the spindle insertingposition is adjustable in the direction of breadth of the door D.

[0171] The body cover 10F integrated with the hinge body 10A along theback face side of the latter has an oval shape about equal to the shapeof the hinge body 10A, integrally forms a box 120 swelling on one sideface, forms in projection a boss 121 having a set screw hole 121 aperforated at about the center position of the depression 120 a of thisbox 120, forms a peripheral collar 122 along the outer circumference ofthe box 120, and forms, at both ends in the longitudinal direction ofthis peripheral collar 122, notches 122 a, 122 a to be engaged with thefastening projections 117, 117 of the hinge body 10A for integrallyfixing (the body cover 10F) with the hinge body 10A by caulking, etc.,as shown in FIG. 26.

[0172] Still more, on this body cover 10F will be formed a shallowdepression 123, at one end side of the depression 120 a of the oval box120. In this shallow depression 123 will be formed two spring insertiongrooves 124, 124 in parallel to the tangential direction of the shallowdepression 123, in which to insert the adjusting cam 10D, morespecifically the disc-shaped collar 140 of the adjusting cam 10D,depressible against a spring.

[0173] And, in these spring insertion grooves 124, 124 will be insertedbar-shaped springs 125, 125 made of piano wire, etc. respectively, so asto support the back face side of the disc-shaped collar 140 of theadjusting cam 10D, and press it to the inner surface side of the shallowdepression 123.

[0174] The slide base 10B will be formed in an oval shape, in a way tobe slidably inserted in the oval-shaped box 120 of the body cover 10F,as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 27.

[0175] In the body 130 of this slide base 10B will be formed, inside themetal insertion barrel 135 formed at one end, a metal insertion hole 132with a bed, a collar 131 at outer circumference of the metal insertionbarrel 135, a slit 133 provided at the center along the direction ofslit of the body 130, and a slit 134 worked at the other end in thedirection orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the body 130.

[0176] This will make it possible for the slide base 10B to slide, inthe body cover 10F along the longitudinal direction thereof, by anamount equal to the amount of eccentricity in the longitudinal directionwhile retracting the amount of eccentricity in the transversal directionof the adjusting cam 10D, when the eccentric shaft of the adjusting cam10D is inserted in the slit 134 and turn off the center of the adjustingcam 10D with the rotation of the adjusting cam 10D.

[0177] The adjusting cam 10D will form a disc-shaped operating element143 in projection, at the central part on one end side of thedisc-shaped collar 140 and in a diameter smaller than that of thedisc-shaped element, in a way to be rotatably inserted in the caminsertion hole 111 on the hinge body 10A side, form, on the surface sideof this disc-shaped collar 140 constituting the body unit of theadjusting cam D, fastening claws 141, 141 disposed alternately inconcavity and convexity at predetermined intervals or angles along thecircumferential direction in a way to be engaged with either one of thefastening claws 116 on the hinge body side, further form a rotatablefastening groove 142 for fastening and turning a plus screwdriver, etc.inside the operating element 143, and also form, on the back face sideof disc-shaped collar 140, an eccentric shaft 144 in projection with aneccentricity of a predetermined distance against the center of thedisc-shaped collar 140, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 28.

[0178] This will make it possible for the slide base 10B, in which isinserted the eccentric shaft 144, to move in the body cover 10F alongthe longitudinal direction thereof, according to the amount ofeccentricity of the eccentric shaft 144, when the adjusting cam 10Drotates.

[0179] Yet more, the adjusting cam 10D will be realized in a way to besupported by the springs 125, 125 inserted in the spring insertiongroove 124 and pressed by spring pressure toward the hinge body side,when it is inserted in the box 120 of the body cover 10F, at both endson the back face of the disc-shaped collar 140 of the adjusting cam 10D,and to be rotatable in either the clockwise or counterclockwisedirections of the adjusting cam 10D, by loosening the springs 125, 125and releasing the fastening between the fastening claws 116 and 141,when the adjusting cam 10D is further pressed in a way to be pushed intothe body cover.

[0180] The metal 10E will form, inside a cylinder-shaped spindleinsertion barrel 150 enabling insertion of the spindle 2, a spindleinsertion hole 151, integrally form a collar 152 on one end face side ofthis spindle insertion hole 150, and form a tongue-shape fasteningelement 153 by notching part of the collar 152, as shown in FIG. 24 andFIG. 29, to thereby be fastened to a fastening groove 136 formed in themetal insertion barrel 135, for protection against turning of the metal10E.

[0181] The assembling of the second modified example of hinge body unitin this second embodiment will be explained below.

[0182] First, insert the slide base 10B in the box 120 of the body cover10F, insert the springs 125, 125 in the spring insertion holes 124, 124respectively, and then place the adjusting cam 10D on the slide base 10Bby inserting the eccentric shaft 144 in the slit 134 of this slide base10B.

[0183] Next, dispose the hinge body 10A in a way to cover over this bodycover 10F. At that time, insert the disc-shaped collar 140 of theadjusting cam 10D in the shallow depression 123 of the body cover 10F,and insert the operating element 143 in the cam insertion hole 111.

[0184] Next, integrate the hinge body 10A and the body cover 10F bycaulking either one of the fastening projection 117 or the peripheralcollar 122 provided with the notch 122 a.

[0185] And, assemble the hinge body unit B by inserting the metal 10E inthe metal insertion hole 132 from the outside of the hinge body 10Athrough the metal adjusting hole 112, and fixing it there.

[0186] In this second modified example of hinge body unit in the secondembodiment, turn the adjusting cam 10D in the clockwise direction bymeans of a screwdriver, etc., when adjusting the spindle 2 insertingposition along the direction of breadth of the door D. In that case, itis necessary to release the fastening between the fastening claw 141 ofthe adjusting cam 10D and the fastening claw 116 of the hinge body,because these fastening claws 141, 116 are mutually fastened andunrotatable.

[0187] Therefore, to release the fastening between these fastening claws141, 116, press the adjusting cam 10D in a way to push it into the bodycover, and the spring 125 will be loosened, the adjusting cam 10D willbe pushed into the body cover, and the fastening between these fasteningclaws 141, 116 will be released to enable the adjusting cam 10D to turnfreely, thus making it possible to perform adjustment by turning theadjusting cam 10D in either the clockwise or counterclockwisedirections.

[0188] The fastening claw 116 formed on the hinge body 10A and thefastening claw 141 formed on the adjusting cam 10D may also take theshape of a sawtooth. In that case, the fastening claws 141, 116 act asunidirectional clutches, and the adjusting cam 10D turns in theclockwise direction only but is unable to turn in the counterclockwisedirection because the fastening claws 141, 116 are fastened to eachother. For turning in the counterclockwise direction, the adjusting cam10D is pressed in a way to be pushed into the body cover, and the spring125 will be loosened, the adjusting cam 10D will be pushed into the bodycover, and the fastening between the fastening claws 141, 116 will bereleased to enable the adjusting cam 10D to turn freely, thus making itpossible to perform adjustment by turning the adjusting cam 10D in thecounterclockwise direction in this state.

[0189] The hinge according to the present invention has so far beexplained based on a plurality of embodiments and their modifiedexamples. However, the present invention is not restricted to theconstructions described in said embodiments, but its construction may bemodified as required within the range not deviated from its purpose, bysuch means as combining the constructions described in the respectiveembodiments and their modified examples as required, etc.

[0190] Moreover, the hinge body may be used in the form of saidembodiments for both the top and the bottom parts of the door, but it isalso possible to adopt one of said embodiments for the open frame K atthe bottom and adopt a metal M of simple construction realized by simplyfitting a spindle, as shown in FIG. 30, for the open frame K at the top.In that case, the adjustment of mounting of the door will be made at thehinge body unit installed on the open frame side at the bottom.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinge characterized in that it is comprised ofa hinge spindle unit, buried flush with the top and bottom lines on thefixed end of the door and disposed in a way to allow protrusion andretraction of the spindle, and a hinge body unit, buried at a positionfacing the hinge spindle unit of the open frame and in which is insertedthe protruding spindle, and supporting the door in a way that it canboth open and close.
 2. A hinge as defined in claim 1 , wherein thehinge spindle unit is comprised of a spindle case body, a spindleinserted in the spindle case body in a way to be locked and protrude andretract under the urging force of a spring, and a stopper holding thespindle in a state retracted in the spindle case body.
 3. A hinge asdefined in claim 1 , wherein the hinge spindle unit is comprised of aspindle case body, a spindle inserted in the spindle case body in a wayto be locked and forming a rack gear biting with a pinion disposed inthe spindle case body and capable of protruding and retracting byturning said pinion, and a stopper holding the spindle in prescribedposition.
 4. A hinge as defined in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the hingebody unit is comprised of a hinge body provided with a boss in which toinsert a spindle, and a cam slidably supported in the hinge body andretracting the spindle.
 5. A hinge as defined in claim 1 , 2 , 3 or 4,wherein the hinge body unit is comprised of a hinge body buried andfixed at a position facing the hinge spindle unit of the open frame, anda slide base, disposed slidably against the hinge body and forming aspindle insertion hole in a way to be fixed at any desired position onthe hinge body.